Bengaluru: Karnataka government instead of alleviating the tension created over Hijab issue in the educational institutions seems to be worsening the matter with Education Minister BC Nagesh's warning to students who wish to adhere to their fundamental right to explore other options.
The Minister has made it clear that those who are not willing to adhere to the uniform dress code can opt out other options. Nagesh's statement seems more as a warning than offering students liberty to choose other options, where he indirectly clarifies hijab clad students could not access to the government education system.
Since the government is for everyone, irrespective of creed and religion, the message the minister has sent out can be seen as constitutional violation of the oath of his office.
"Just as rules are followed in the military, the same is to be done here (in educational institutions) as well. Options are open for those who are not willing to follow it, which they can make use of," Nagesh told reporters in Mysuru.
Minister Nagesh also urged the students not to be tools of political parties. As later he wonders, how all of a sudden this become an issue in schools where students of all the faiths were coming wearing uniform.
He, however, was seen oblivious to the fact that Muslim female students have been attending different educational institutions wearing hijab for decades without any issue until now.
Nagesh was also heard telling that everyone was learning and playing together with a sense of equality but never ever have religious differences cropped up.
The Bommai government had on Saturday issued a circular banning clothes which disturbed peace, harmony and, law and order in the educational institutions across the state.
On the circular, Nagesh said the government felt the need to clarify on this matter and issued a circular.
He also clarified that the students can come to the school wearing Hijab, but inside the campus they have to place it in their bags.